Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Wejroch.
Hi Heather , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
In 2023, I was knee deep in classes for my bachelor’s degree and Entrepreneurship was one of my mandatory classes. We had to come up with a business idea to create a business plan for our term project. I told my professor that I am not an entrepreneur, and I am not creative enough to come up with a business idea in a week! She told me to dig deep and use a hobby or passion to start the foundation. I love reading and reminded myself that I dreamed of owning a bookstore years ago…right as E-books started to gain popularity (broke my heart). My dream was re-envisioned into a romance bookstore because it is the genre that I read. From there I knew that I wanted to create a romantic atmosphere and selling wines seemed like a logical pairing since it has been associated with romance since ancient Rome. As my research progressed, I realized that my dreaded course project had turned into a viable business idea, and at the end of the course, I had a good start to my official business plan. We (Heather & James) opened Pages & Grapes on November 23, 2024.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was not smooth and it still challenges James and I every day. One of the constant struggles is marketing our store and increasing our customer base. Another struggle is navigating our business during a turbulent market where money is often tight for most people.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Pages & Grapes is a distinctive literary destination that brings together a passion for romance novels and an appreciation for Michigan wines. Our bookstore is a sanctuary for lovers of storytelling, offering a curated collection of romance novels that captivate and transport readers into enchanting worlds of love. In addition to its literary offerings, Pages & Grapes features an elegant selection of locally sourced wines, enhancing the overall experience. More than just a bookstore, Pages & Grapes is a community space that embraces romance and celebrates life’s finer pleasures in a welcoming and judgment-free environment. Dedicated to fostering a sense of connection among like-minded readers, our store also emphasizes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Pages & Grapes aims to provide an exceptional customer experience while supporting local businesses and products, making it a cherished haven for romantic readers and a hub for meaningful relationships.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
People often say that luck is when preparation meets opportunity, and I think that’s been true for us.
We’ve certainly had our share of good luck. We’ve met incredible authors who believed in what we were building long before we had proven ourselves. One introduction led to another, and those relationships have opened doors we never could have imagined. The romance community has welcomed us with an incredible amount of generosity, and we don’t take that for granted.
But if I’m being completely honest, I think I used up all my luck the day I met my husband, James. He believed in this dream before it existed. When I questioned whether we could really open an independent bookstore, he reminded me why we could. He’s been my biggest supporter, my sounding board, my problem solver, and my partner through every challenge. I don’t think Pages & Grapes would exist without him standing beside me.
That said, luck only gets you so far. Every author relationship, every event, every customer who walks through our doors has come from showing up consistently, treating people well, and building a community instead of simply trying to sell books. We’ve had setbacks and difficult months, but we’ve also experienced incredible moments that remind us we’re exactly where we’re meant to be.
So yes, luck has absolutely played a role in our journey. But I think the greatest luck we’ve had is finding amazing people: our authors, our readers, our community, and each other.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pagesandgrapes.com
- Instagram: pagesandgrapes
- Facebook: pagesandgrapes
